Afterawhilehersobsbecamelessfrequentandmorefaint，andthenhesaidtome，speakingwithastudiedcalmnesswhichIfelttriedhisnervouspowertotheutmost。
“Andnow，Dr。Seward，tellmeallaboutit。ToowellIknowthebroadfact。
Tellmeallthathasbeen。“
Itoldhimexactlywhathadhappenedandhelistenedwithseemingimpassiveness，buthisnostrilstwitchedandhiseyesblazedasItoldhowtheruthlesshandsoftheCounthadheldhiswifeinthatterribleandhorridposition，withhermouthtotheopenwoundinhisbreast。
Itinterestedme，evenatthatmoment，toseethatwhilstthefaceofwhitesetpassionworkedconvulsivelyoverthebowedhead，thehandstenderlyandlovinglystrokedtheruffledhair。
JustasIhadfinished，QuinceyandGodalmingknockedatthedoor。
Theyenteredinobediencetooursummons。VanHelsinglookedatmequestioningly。Iunderstoodhimtomeanifweweretotakeadvantageoftheircomingtodivertifpossiblethethoughtsoftheunhappyhusbandandwifefromeachotherandfromthemselves。
Soonnoddingacquiescencetohimheaskedthemwhattheyhadseenordone。TowhichLordGodalminganswered。
“Icouldnotseehimanywhereinthepassage，orinanyofourrooms。
Ilookedinthestudybut，thoughhehadbeenthere，hehadgone。
Hehad，however……“Hestoppedsuddenly，lookingatthepoordroopingfigureonthebed。
VanHelsingsaidgravely，“Goon，friendArthur。Wewantherenomoreconcealments。Ourhopenowisinknowingall。
Tellfreely！”
SoArtwenton，“Hehadbeenthere，andthoughitcouldonlyhavebeenforafewseconds，hemaderarehayoftheplace。Allthemanuscripthadbeenburned，andtheblueflameswereflickeringamongstthewhiteashes。
Thecylindersofyourphonographtoowerethrownonthefire，andthewaxhadhelpedtheflames。“
HereIinterrupted。“ThankGodthereistheothercopyinthesafe！”
Hisfacelitforamoment，butfellagainashewenton。
“Irandownstairsthen，butcouldseenosignofhim。
IlookedintoRenfield\'sroom，buttherewasnotracethereexcept……“Againhepaused。
“Goon，“saidHarkerhoarsely。Sohebowedhisheadandmoisteninghislipswithhistongue，added，“exceptthatthepoorfellowisdead。“
Mrs。Harkerraisedherhead，lookingfromonetotheotherofusshesaidsolemnly，“God\'swillbedone！”
IcouldnotbutfeelthatArtwaskeepingbacksomething。
But，asItookitthatitwaswithapurpose，Isaidnothing。
VanHelsingturnedtoMorrisandasked，“Andyou，friendQuincey，haveyouanytotell？”
“Alittle，“heanswered。“Itmaybemucheventually，butatpresentIcan\'tsay。IthoughtitwelltoknowifpossiblewheretheCountwouldgowhenheleftthehouse。
Ididnotseehim，butIsawabatrisefromRenfield\'swindow，andflapwestward。IexpectedtoseehiminsomeshapegobacktoCarfax，butheevidentlysoughtsomeotherlair。
Hewillnotbebacktonight，fortheskyisreddeningintheeast，andthedawnisclose。Wemustworktomorrow！”
Hesaidthelatterwordsthroughhisshutteeth。Foraspaceofperhapsacoupleofminutestherewassilence，andIcouldfancythatIcouldhearthesoundofourheartsbeating。
ThenVanHelsingsaid，placinghishandtenderlyonMrs。Harker\'shead，“Andnow，MadamMina，poordear，dear，MadamMina，tellusexactlywhathappened。GodknowsthatIdonotwantthatyoubepained，butitisneedthatweknowall。Fornowmorethaneverhasallworktobedonequickandsharp，andindeadlyearnest。
Thedayisclosetousthatmustendall，ifitmaybeso，andnowisthechancethatwemayliveandlearn。“
Thepoordearladyshivered，andIcouldseethetensionofhernervesassheclaspedherhusbandclosertoherandbentherheadlowerandlowerstillonhisbreast。Thensheraisedherheadproudly，andheldoutonehandtoVanHelsingwhotookitinhis，andafterstoopingandkissingitreverently，helditfast。
Theotherhandwaslockedinthatofherhusband，whoheldhisotherarmthrownroundherprotectingly。Afterapauseinwhichshewasevidentlyorderingherthoughts，shebegan。
“Itookthesleepingdraughtwhichyouhadsokindlygivenme，butforalongtimeitdidnotact。Iseemedtobecomemorewakeful，andmyriadsofhorriblefanciesbegantocrowdinuponmymind。
Allofthemconnectedwithdeath，andvampires，withblood，andpain，andtrouble。“Herhusbandinvoluntarilygroanedassheturnedtohimandsaidlovingly，“Donotfret，dear。
Youmustbebraveandstrong，andhelpmethroughthehorribletask。
Ifyouonlyknewwhataneffortitistometotellofthisfearfulthingatall，youwouldunderstandhowmuchIneedyourhelp。
Well，IsawImusttrytohelpthemedicinetoitsworkwithmywill，ifitwastodomeanygood，soIresolutelysetmyselftosleep。
Sureenoughsleepmustsoonhavecometome，forIremembernomore。
Jonathancominginhadnotwakedme，forhelaybymysidewhennextIremember。TherewasintheroomthesamethinwhitemistthatIhadbeforenoticed。ButIforgetnowifyouknowofthis。
YouwillfinditinmydiarywhichIshallshowyoulater。
Ifeltthesamevagueterrorwhichhadcometomebeforeandthesamesenseofsomepresence。IturnedtowakeJonathan，butfoundthathesleptsosoundlythatitseemedasifitwashewhohadtakenthesleepingdraught，andnotI。Itried，butIcouldnotwakehim。
Thiscausedmeagreatfear，andIlookedaroundterrified。
Thenindeed，myheartsankwithinme。Besidethebed，asifhehadsteppedoutofthemist，orratherasifthemisthadturnedintohisfigure，forithadentirelydisappeared，stoodatall，thinman，allinblack。Iknewhimatoncefromthedescriptionoftheothers。
Thewaxenface，thehighaquilinenose，onwhichthelightfellinathinwhiteline，thepartedredlips，withthesharpwhiteteethshowingbetween，andtheredeyesthatIhadseemedtoseeinthesunsetonthewindowsofSt。Mary\'sChurchatWitby。
Iknew，too，theredscaronhisforeheadwhereJonathanhadstruckhim。
Foraninstantmyheartstoodstill，andIwouldhavescreamedout，onlythatIwasparalyzed。Inthepausehespokeinasortofkeen，cuttingwhisper，pointingashespoketoJonathan。
“`Silence！IfyoumakeasoundIshalltakehimanddashhisbrainsoutbeforeyourveryeyes。\'Iwasappalledandwastoobewilderedtodoorsayanything。Withamockingsmile，heplacedonehanduponmyshoulderand，holdingmetight，baredmythroatwiththeother，sayingashedidso，`First，alittlerefreshmenttorewardmyexertions。
Youmayaswellbequiet。Itisnotthefirsttime，orthesecond，thatyourveinshaveappeasedmythirst！\'
Iwasbewildered，andstrangelyenough，Ididnotwanttohinderhim。
Isupposeitisapartofthehorriblecursethatsuchis，whenhistouchisonhisvictim。Andoh，myGod，myGod，pityme！Heplacedhisreekinglipsuponmythroat！”
Herhusbandgroanedagain。Sheclaspedhishandharder，andlookedathimpityingly，asifheweretheinjuredone，andwenton。
“Ifeltmystrengthfadingaway，andIwasinahalfswoon。
HowlongthishorriblethinglastedIknownot，butitseemedthatalongtimemusthavepassedbeforehetookhisfoul，awful，sneeringmouthaway。Isawitdripwiththefreshblood！”Theremembranceseemedforawhiletooverpowerher，andshedroopedandwouldhavesunkdownbutforherhusband\'ssustainingarm。
Withagreateffortsherecoveredherselfandwenton。
“Thenhespoketomemockingly，`Andsoyou，liketheothers，wouldplayyourbrainsagainstmine。Youwouldhelpthesementohuntmeandfrustratemeinmydesign！
Youknownow，andtheyknowinpartalready，andwillknowinfullbeforelong，whatitistocrossmypath。
Theyshouldhavekepttheirenergiesforuseclosertohome。
Whilsttheyplayedwitsagainstme，againstmewhocommandednations，andintriguedforthem，andfoughtforthem，hundredsofyearsbeforetheywereborn，Iwascounterminingthem。
Andyou，theirbestbelovedone，arenowtome，fleshofmyflesh，bloodofmyblood，kinofmykin，mybountifulwine-pressforawhile，andshallbelateronmycompanionandmyhelper。
Youshallbeavengedinturn，fornotoneofthembutshallministertoyourneeds。Butasyetyouaretobepunishedforwhatyouhavedone。Youhaveaidedinthwartingme。
Nowyoushallcometomycall。Whenmybrainsays“Come！”
toyou，youshallcrosslandorseatodomybidding。
Andtothatendthis！\'
Withthathepulledopenhisshirt，andwithhislongsharpnailsopenedaveininhisbreast。Whenthebloodbegantospurtout，hetookmyhandsinoneofhis，holdingthemtight，andwiththeotherseizedmyneckandpressedmymouthtothewound，sothatImusteithersuffocateorswallowsometothe……Oh，myGod！MyGod！
WhathaveIdone？WhathaveIdonetodeservesuchafate，Iwhohavetriedtowalkinmeeknessandrighteousnessallmydays。
Godpityme！Lookdownonapoorsoulinworsethanmortalperil。
Andinmercypitythosetowhomsheisdear！”Thenshebegantorubherlipsasthoughtocleansethemfrompollution。
Asshewastellingherterriblestory，theeasternskybegantoquicken，andeverythingbecamemoreandmoreclear。Harkerwasstillandquiet。
Butoverhisface，astheawfulnarrativewenton，cameagreylookwhichdeepenedanddeepenedinthemorninglight，tillwhenthefirstredstreakofthecomingdawnshotup，thefleshstooddarklyoutagainstthewhiteninghair。
Wehavearrangedthatoneofusistostaywithincalloftheunhappypairtillwecanmeettogetherandarrangeabouttakingaction。
OfthisIamsure。Thesunrisestodayonnomoremiserablehouseinallthegreatroundofitsdailycourse。
CHAPTER22
JONATHANHARKER\'SJOURNAL
3October——AsImustdosomethingorgomad，Iwritethisdiary。
Itisnowsixo\'clock，andwearetomeetinthestudyinhalfanhourandtakesomethingtoeat，forDr。VanHelsingandDr。Sewardareagreedthatifwedonoteatwecannotworkourbest。Ourbestwillbe，Godknows，requiredtoday。Imustkeepwritingateverychance，forIdarenotstoptothink。All，bigandlittle，mustgodown。
Perhapsattheendthelittlethingsmayteachusmost。
Theteaching，bigorlittle，couldnothavelandedMinaormeanywhereworsethanwearetoday。However，wemusttrustandhope。
PoorMinatoldmejustnow，withthetearsrunningdownherdearcheeks，thatitisintroubleandtrialthatourfaithistested。
Thatwemustkeepontrusting，andthatGodwillaidusuptotheend。
Theend！OhmyGod！Whatend？……Towork！Towork！
WhenDr。VanHelsingandDr。SewardhadcomebackfromseeingpoorRenfield，wewentgravelyintowhatwastobedone。First，Dr。SewardtoldusthatwhenheandDr。VanHelsinghadgonedowntotheroombelowtheyhadfoundRenfieldlyingonthefloor，allinaheap。Hisfacewasallbruisedandcrushedin，andthebonesoftheneckwerebroken。
Dr。Sewardaskedtheattendantwhowasondutyinthepassageifhehadheardanything。Hesaidthathehadbeensittingdown，heconfessedtohalfdozing，whenheheardloudvoicesintheroom，andthenRenfieldhadcalledoutloudlyseveraltimes，“God！God！God！”Afterthattherewasasoundoffalling，andwhenheenteredtheroomhefoundhimlyingonthefloor，facedown，justasthedoctorshadseenhim。
VanHelsingaskedifhehadheard“voices“or“avoice，“andhesaidhecouldnotsay。Thatatfirstithadseemedtohimasifthereweretwo，butastherewasnooneintheroomitcouldhavebeenonlyone。
Hecouldsweartoit，ifrequired，thattheword“God“wasspokenbythepatient。
Dr。Sewardsaidtous，whenwewerealone，thathedidnotwishtogointothematter。Thequestionofaninquesthadtobeconsidered，anditwouldneverdotoputforwardthetruth，asnoonewouldbelieveit。
Asitwas，hethoughtthatontheattendant\'sevidencehecouldgiveacertificateofdeathbymisadventureinfallingfrombed。
Incasethecoronershoulddemandit，therewouldbeaformalinquest，necessarilytothesameresult。
Whenthequestionbegantobediscussedastowhatshouldbeournextstep，theveryfirstthingwedecidedwasthatMinashouldbeinfullconfidence。
Thatnothingofanysort，nomatterhowpainful，shouldbekeptfromher。
Sheherselfagreedastoitswisdom，anditwaspitifultoseehersobraveandyetsosorrowful，andinsuchadepthofdespair。
“Theremustbenoconcealment，“shesaid。“Alas！Wehavehadtoomuchalready。AndbesidesthereisnothinginalltheworldthatcangivememorepainthanIhavealreadyendured，thanIsuffernow！
Whatevermayhappen，itmustbeofnewhopeorofnewcouragetome！”
VanHelsingwaslookingatherfixedlyasshespoke，andsaid，suddenlybutquietly，“ButdearMadamMina，areyounotafraid。
Notforyourself，butforothersfromyourself，afterwhathashappened？”
Herfacegrewsetinitslines，buthereyesshonewiththedevotionofamartyrassheanswered，“Ahno！
Formymindismadeup！”
“Towhat？”heaskedgently，whilstwewereallverystill，foreachinourownwaywehadasortofvagueideaofwhatshemeant。
Heranswercamewithdirectsimplicity，asthoughshewassimplystatingafact，“BecauseifIfindinmyself，andIshallwatchkeenlyforit，asignofharmtoanythatIlove，Ishalldie！”
“Youwouldnotkillyourself？”heasked，hoarsely。
“Iwould。Iftherewerenofriendwholovedme，whowouldsavemesuchapain，andsodesperateaneffort！”
Shelookedathimmeaninglyasshespoke。
Hewassittingdown，butnowheroseandcameclosetoherandputhishandonherheadashesaidsolemnly。
“Mychild，thereissuchanoneifitwereforyourgood。
FormyselfIcouldholditinmyaccountwithGodtofindsuchaneuthanasiaforyou，evenatthismomentifitwerebest。
Nay，wereitsafe！Butmychild……“
Foramomentheseemedchoked，andagreatsobroseinhisthroat。
Hegulpeditdownandwenton，“Thereareheresomewhowouldstandbetweenyouanddeath。Youmustnotdie。Youmustnotdiebyanyhand，butleastofallyourown。Untiltheother，whohasfouledyoursweetlife，istruedeadyoumustnotdie。
ForifheisstillwiththequickUndead，yourdeathwouldmakeyouevenasheis。No，youmustlive！Youmuststruggleandstrivetolive，thoughdeathwouldseemaboonunspeakable。
YoumustfightDeathhimself，thoughhecometoyouinpainorinjoy。Bytheday，orthenight，insafetyorinperil！
OnyourlivingsoulIchargeyouthatyoudonotdie。
Nay，northinkofdeath，tillthisgreatevilbepast。“
Thepoordeargrewwhiteasdeath，andshookandshivered，asIhaveseenaquicksandshakeandshiverattheincomingofthetide。Wewereallsilent。Wecoulddonothing。
Atlengthshegrewmorecalmandturningtohimsaidsweetly，butohsosorrowfully，assheheldoutherhand，“Ipromiseyou，mydearfriend，thatifGodwillletmelive，Ishallstrivetodoso。Till，ifitmaybeinHisgoodtime，thishorrormayhavepassedawayfromme。“
Shewassogoodandbravethatweallfeltthatourheartswerestrengthenedtoworkandendureforher，andwebegantodiscusswhatweweretodo。
Itoldherthatshewastohaveallthepapersinthesafe，andallthepapersordiariesandphonographswemighthereafteruse，andwastokeeptherecordasshehaddonebefore。Shewaspleasedwiththeprospectofanythingtodo，if“pleased“couldbeusedinconnectionwithsogrimaninterest。
AsusualVanHelsinghadthoughtaheadofeveryoneelse，andwaspreparedwithanexactorderingofourwork。
“Itisperhapswell，“hesaid，“thatatourmeetingafterourvisittoCarfaxwedecidednottodoanythingwiththeearthboxesthatlaythere。
Hadwedoneso，theCountmusthaveguessedourpurpose，andwoulddoubtlesshavetakenmeasuresinadvancetofrustratesuchaneffortwithregardtotheothers。Butnowhedoesnotknowourintentions。
Nay，more，inallprobability，hedoesnotknowthatsuchapowerexiststousascansterilizehislairs，sothathecannotusethemasofold。
“Wearenowsomuchfurtheradvancedinourknowledgeastotheirdispositionthat，whenwehaveexaminedthehouseinPiccadilly，wemaytracktheverylastofthem。Todaythen，isours，andinitrestsourhope。
Thesunthatroseonoursorrowthismorningguardsusinitscourse。
Untilitsetstonight，thatmonstermustretainwhateverformhenowhas。
Heisconfinedwithinthelimitationsofhisearthlyenvelope。Hecannotmeltintothinairnordisappearthroughcracksorchinksorcrannies。
Ifhegothroughadoorway，hemustopenthedoorlikeamortal。
Andsowehavethisdaytohuntoutallhislairsandsterilizethem。
Soweshall，ifwehavenotyetcatchhimanddestroyhim，drivehimtobayinsomeplacewherethecatchingandthedestroyingshallbe，intime，sure。“
HereIstartedupforIcouldnotcontainmyselfatthethoughtthattheminutesandsecondssopreciouslyladenwithMina\'slifeandhappinesswereflyingfromus，sincewhilstwetalkedactionwasimpossible。
ButVanHelsinghelduphishandwarningly。
“Nay，friendJonathan，“hesaid，“inthis，thequickestwayhomeisthelongestway，soyourproverbsay。Weshallallactandactwithdesperatequick，whenthetimehascome。
Butthink，inallprobablethekeyofthesituationisinthathouseinPiccadilly。TheCountmayhavemanyhouseswhichhehasbought。
Ofthemhewillhavedeedsofpurchase，keysandotherthings。
Hewillhavepaperthathewriteon。Hewillhavehisbookofcheques。
Therearemanybelongingsthathemusthavesomewhere。
Whynotinthisplacesocentral，soquiet，wherehecomeandgobythefrontorthebackatallhours，whenintheveryvastofthetrafficthereisnonetonotice。Weshallgothereandsearchthathouse。
Andwhenwelearnwhatitholds，thenwedowhatourfriendArthurcall，inhisphrasesofhunt`stoptheearths\'andsowerundownouroldfox，so？Isitnot？”
“Thenletuscomeatonce，“Icried，“wearewastingtheprecious，precioustime！”
TheProfessordidnotmove，butsimplysaid，“AndhowarewetogetintothathouseinPiccadilly？”
“Anyway！”Icried。“Weshallbreakinifneedbe。“
“Andyourpolice？Wherewilltheybe，andwhatwilltheysay？”
Iwasstaggered，butIknewthatifhewishedtodelayhehadagoodreasonforit。SoIsaid，asquietlyasIcould，“Don\'twaitmorethanneedbe。
Youknow，Iamsure，whattortureIamin。“
“Ah，mychild，thatIdo。Andindeedthereisnowishofmetoaddtoyouranguish。Butjustthink，whatcanwedo，untilalltheworldbeatmovement。Thenwillcomeourtime。
Ihavethoughtandthought，anditseemstomethatthesimplestwayisthebestofall。Nowwewishtogetintothehouse，butwehavenokey。Isitnotso？”Inodded。
“Nowsupposethatyouwere，intruth，theownerofthathouse，andcouldnotstillgetin。Andthinktherewastoyounoconscienceofthehousebreaker，whatwouldyoudo？”
“Ishouldgetarespectablelocksmith，andsethimtoworktopickthelockforme。“
“Andyourpolice，theywouldinterfere，wouldtheynot？”
“Ohno！Notiftheyknewthemanwasproperlyemployed。“
“Then，“helookedatmeaskeenlyashespoke，“allthatisindoubtistheconscienceoftheemployer，andthebeliefofyourpolicemenastowhetherornotthatemployerhasagoodconscienceorabadone。
Yourpolicemustindeedbezealousmenandclever，ohsoclever，inreadingtheheart，thattheytroublethemselvesinsuchmatter。
No，no，myfriendJonathan，yougotakethelockoffahundredemptyhousesinthisyourLondon，orofanycityintheworld，andifyoudoitassuchthingsarerightlydone，andatthetimesuchthingsarerightlydone，noonewillinterfere。
IhavereadofagentlemanwhoownedasofinehouseinLondon，andwhenhewentformonthsofsummertoSwitzerlandandlockuphishouse，someburglarcomeandbrokewindowatbackandgotin。
Thenhewentandmadeopentheshuttersinfrontandwalkoutandinthroughthedoor，beforetheveryeyesofthepolice。
Thenhehaveanauctioninthathouse，andadvertiseit，andputupbignotice。Andwhenthedaycomeheselloffbyagreatauctioneerallthegoodsofthatothermanwhoownthem。
Thenhegotoabuilder，andhesellhimthathouse，makinganagreementthathepullitdownandtakeallawaywithinacertaintime。
Andyourpoliceandotherauthorityhelphimalltheycan。
AndwhenthatownercomebackfromhisholidayinSwitzerlandhefindonlyanemptyholewherehishousehadbeen。
Thiswasalldoneenregle，andinourworkweshallbeenregletoo。
Weshallnotgosoearlythatthepolicemenwhohavethenlittletothinkof，shalldeemitstrange。Butweshallgoafterteno\'clock，whentherearemanyabout，andsuchthingswouldbedonewereweindeedownersofthehouse。“
IcouldnotbutseehowrighthewasandtheterribledespairofMina\'sfacebecamerelaxedinthought。
Therewashopeinsuchgoodcounsel。
VanHelsingwenton，“Whenoncewithinthathousewemayfindmoreclues。
Atanyratesomeofuscanremaintherewhilsttherestfindtheotherplaceswheretherebemoreearthboxes，atBermondseyandMileEnd。“
LordGodalmingstoodup。“Icanbeofsomeusehere，“hesaid。
“Ishallwiretomypeopletohavehorsesandcarriageswheretheywillbemostconvenient。“
“Lookhere，oldfellow，“saidMorris，“itisacapitalideatohaveallreadyincasewewanttogohorsebacking，butdon\'tyouthinkthatoneofyoursnappycarriageswithitsheraldicadornmentsinabywayofWalworthorMileEndwouldattracttoomuchattentionforourpurpose？
Itseemstomethatweoughttotakecabswhenwegosouthoreast。
Andevenleavethemsomewhereneartheneighborhoodwearegoingto。“
“FriendQuinceyisright！”saidtheProfessor。
“Hisheadiswhatyoucallinplanewiththehorizon。
Itisadifficultthingthatwegotodo，andwedonotwantnopeoplestowatchusifsoitmay。“
MinatookagrowinginterestineverythingandIwasrejoicedtoseethattheexigencyofaffairswashelpinghertoforgetforatimetheterribleexperienceofthenight。
Shewasvery，verypale，almostghastly，andsothinthatherlipsweredrawnaway，showingherteethinsomewhatofprominence。
Ididnotmentionthislast，lestitshouldgiveherneedlesspain，butitmademybloodruncoldinmyveinstothinkofwhathadoccurredwithpoorLucywhentheCounthadsuckedherblood。
Asyettherewasnosignoftheteethgrowingsharper，butthetimeasyetwasshort，andtherewastimeforfear。
Whenwecametothediscussionofthesequenceofoureffortsandofthedispositionofourforces，therewerenewsourcesofdoubt。
ItwasfinallyagreedthatbeforestartingforPiccadillyweshoulddestroytheCount\'slaircloseathand。Incaseheshouldfinditouttoosoon，weshouldthusbestillaheadofhiminourworkofdestruction。
Andhispresenceinhispurelymaterialshape，andathisweakest，mightgiveussomenewclue。
Astothedisposalofforces，itwassuggestedbytheProfessorthat，afterourvisittoCarfax，weshouldallenterthehouseinPiccadilly。ThatthetwodoctorsandI
shouldremainthere，whilstLordGodalmingandQuinceyfoundthelairsatWalworthandMileEndanddestroyedthem。
Itwaspossible，ifnotlikely，theProfessorurged，thattheCountmightappearinPiccadillyduringtheday，andthatifsowemightbeabletocopewithhimthenandthere。
Atanyrate，wemightbeabletofollowhiminforce。
TothisplanIstrenuouslyobjected，andsofarasmygoingwasconcerned，forIsaidthatIintendedtostayandprotectMina。
Ithoughtthatmymindwasmadeuponthesubject，butMinawouldnotlistentomyobjection。ShesaidthattheremightbesomelawmatterinwhichIcouldbeuseful。
ThatamongsttheCount\'spapersmightbesomecluewhichI
couldunderstandoutofmyexperienceinTransylvania。
Andthat，asitwas，allthestrengthwecouldmusterwasrequiredtocopewiththeCount\'sextraordinarypower。
Ihadtogivein，forMina\'sresolutionwasfixed。
Shesaidthatitwasthelasthopeforherthatweshouldallworktogether。
“Asforme，“shesaid，“Ihavenofear。Thingshavebeenasbadastheycanbe。Andwhatevermayhappenmusthaveinitsomeelementofhopeorcomfort。Go，myhusband！
Godcan，ifHewishesit，guardmeaswellaloneaswithanyonepresent。“
SoIstartedupcryingout，“TheninGod\'snameletuscomeatonce，forwearelosingtime。TheCountmaycometoPiccadillyearlierthanwethink。“
“Notso！”saidVanHelsing，holdinguphishand。
“Butwhy？”Iasked。
“Doyouforget，“hesaid，withactuallyasmile，“thatlastnighthebanquetedheavily，andwillsleeplate？”
DidIforget！ShallIever……canIever！Cananyofuseverforgetthatterriblescene！Minastruggledhardtokeepherbravecountenance，butthepainovermasteredherandsheputherhandsbeforeherface，andshudderedwhilstshemoaned。
VanHelsinghadnotintendedtorecallherfrightfulexperience。
Hehadsimplylostsightofherandherpartintheaffairinhisintellectualeffort。
Whenitstruckhimwhathesaid，hewashorrifiedathisthoughtlessnessandtriedtocomforther。
“Oh，MadamMina，“hesaid，“dear，dear，MadamMina，alas！
ThatIofallwhosoreverenceyoushouldhavesaidanythingsoforgetful。Thesestupidoldlipsofmineandthisstupidoldheaddonotdeserveso，butyouwillforgetit，willyounot？”
Hebentlowbesideherashespoke。
Shetookhishand，andlookingathimthroughhertears，saidhoarsely，“No，Ishallnotforget，foritiswellthatIremember。
AndwithitIhavesomuchinmemoryofyouthatissweet，thatItakeitalltogether。Now，youmustallbegoingsoon。
Breakfastisready，andwemustalleatthatwemaybestrong。“
Breakfastwasastrangemealtousall。Wetriedtobecheerfulandencourageeachother，andMinawasthebrightestandmostcheerfulofus。
Whenitwasover，VanHelsingstoodupandsaid，“Now，mydearfriends，wegoforthtoourterribleenterprise。Areweallarmed，aswewereonthatnightwhenfirstwevisitedourenemy\'slair。
Armedagainstghostlyaswellascarnalattack？”
Weallassuredhim。
“Thenitiswell。Now，MadamMina，youareinanycasequitesafehereuntilthesunset。Andbeforethenweshallreturn……if……Weshallreturn！Butbeforewegoletmeseeyouarmedagainstpersonalattack。Ihavemyself，sinceyoucamedown，preparedyourchamberbytheplacingofthingsofwhichweknow，sothatHemaynotenter。Nowletmeguardyourself。
OnyourforeheadItouchthispieceofSacredWaferinthenameoftheFather，theSon，and……
Therewasafearfulscreamwhichalmostfrozeourheartstohear。
AshehadplacedtheWaferonMina\'sforehead，ithadsearedit……hadburnedintothefleshasthoughithadbeenapieceofwhitehotmetal。
Mypoordarling\'sbrainhadtoldherthesignificanceofthefactasquicklyashernervesreceivedthepainofit，andthetwosooverwhelmedherthatheroverwroughtnaturehaditsvoiceinthatdreadfulscream。
Butthewordstoherthoughtcamequickly。Theechoofthescreamhadnotceasedtoringontheairwhentherecamethereaction，andshesankonherkneesonthefloorinanagonyofabasement。
Pullingherbeautifulhairoverherface，astheleperofoldhismantle，shewailedout。
“Unclean！Unclean！EventheAlmightyshunsmypollutedflesh！
ImustbearthismarkofshameuponmyforeheaduntiltheJudgementDay。“
Theyallpaused。Ihadthrownmyselfbesideherinanagonyofhelplessgrief，andputtingmyarmsaroundheldhertight。
Forafewminutesoursorrowfulheartsbeattogether，whilstthefriendsaroundusturnedawaytheireyesthatrantearssilently。ThenVanHelsingturnedandsaidgravely。
SogravelythatIcouldnothelpfeelingthathewasinsomewayinspired，andwasstatingthingsoutsidehimself。
“ItmaybethatyoumayhavetobearthatmarktillGodhimselfseefit，asHemostsurelyshall，ontheJudgementDay，toredressallwrongsoftheearthandofHischildrenthatHehasplacedthereon。Andoh，MadamMina，mydear，mydear，maywewholoveyoubetheretosee，whenthatredscar，thesignofGod\'sknowledgeofwhathasbeen，shallpassaway，andleaveyourforeheadaspureastheheartweknow。
Forsosurelyaswelive，thatscarshallpassawaywhenGodseesrighttolifttheburdenthatisharduponus。TillthenwebearourCross，asHisSondidinobediencetoHisWill。
ItmaybethatwearechoseninstrumentsofHisgoodpleasure，andthatweascendtoHisbiddingasthatotherthroughstripesandshame。Throughtearsandblood。Throughdoubtsandfear，andallthatmakesthedifferencebetweenGodandman。“
Therewashopeinhiswords，andcomfort。Andtheymadeforresignation。
MinaandIbothfeltso，andsimultaneouslyweeachtookoneoftheoldman\'shandsandbentoverandkissedit。Thenwithoutawordweallkneltdowntogether，andallholdinghands，sworetobetruetoeachother。
Wemenpledgedourselvestoraisetheveilofsorrowfromtheheadofherwhom，eachinhisownway，weloved。Andweprayedforhelpandguidanceintheterribletaskwhichlaybeforeus。Itwasthentimetostart。
SoIsaidfarewelltoMina，apartingwhichneitherofusshallforgettoourdyingday，andwesetout。
ToonethingIhavemadeupmymind。IfwefindoutthatMinamustbeavampireintheend，thensheshallnotgointothatunknownandterriblelandalone。Isupposeitisthusthatinoldtimesonevampiremeantmany。
Justastheirhideousbodiescouldonlyrestinsacredearth，sotheholiestlovewastherecruitingsergeantfortheirghastlyranks。
WeenteredCarfaxwithouttroubleandfoundallthingsthesameasonthefirstoccasion。Itwashardtobelievethatamongstsoprosaicsurroundingsofneglectanddustanddecaytherewasanygroundforsuchfearasalreadyweknew。
Hadnotourmindsbeenmadeup，andhadtherenotbeenterriblememoriestospuruson，wecouldhardlyhaveproceededwithourtask。
Wefoundnopapers，oranysignofuseinthehouse。
Andintheoldchapelthegreatboxeslookedjustaswehadseenthemlast。
Dr。VanHelsingsaidtoussolemnlyaswestoodbeforehim，“Andnow，myfriends，wehaveadutyheretodo。Wemuststerilizethisearth，sosacredofholymemories，thathehasbroughtfromafardistantlandforsuchfelluse。Hehaschosenthisearthbecauseithasbeenholy。
Thuswedefeathimwithhisownweapon，forwemakeitmoreholystill。
Itwassanctifiedtosuchuseofman，nowwesanctifyittoGod。“
Ashespokehetookfromhisbagascrewdriverandawrench，andverysoonthetopofoneofthecaseswasthrownopen。
Theearthsmelledmustyandclose，butwedidnotsomehowseemtomind，forourattentionwasconcentratedontheProfessor。
TakingfromhisboxapieceoftheScaredWaferhelaiditreverentlyontheearth，andthenshuttingdownthelidbegantoscrewithome，weaidinghimasheworked。
Onebyonewetreatedinthesamewayeachofthegreatboxes，andleftthemaswehadfoundthemtoallappearance。
ButineachwasaportionoftheHost。Whenweclosedthedoorbehindus，theProfessorsaidsolemnly，“Somuchisalreadydone。
Itmaybethatwithalltheotherswecanbesosuccessful，thenthesunsetofthiseveningmayshineofMadamMina\'sforeheadallwhiteasivoryandwithnostain！”
Aswepassedacrossthelawnonourwaytothestationtocatchourtrainwecouldseethefrontoftheasylum。
Ilookedeagerly，andinthewindowofmyownroomsawMina。
Iwavedmyhandtoher，andnoddedtotellthatourworktherewassuccessfullyaccomplished。Shenoddedinreplytoshowthatsheunderstood。ThelastIsaw，shewaswavingherhandinfarewell。
Itwaswithaheavyheartthatwesoughtthestationandjustcaughtthetrain，whichwassteaminginaswereachedtheplatform。
Ihavewrittenthisinthetrain。
Piccadilly，12：30o\'clock——JustbeforewereachedFenchurchStreetLordGodalmingsaidtome，“QuinceyandIwillfindalocksmith。
Youhadbetternotcomewithusincasethereshouldbeanydifficulty。
Forunderthecircumstancesitwouldn\'tseemsobadforustobreakintoanemptyhouse。ButyouareasolicitorandtheIncorporatedLawSocietymighttellyouthatyoushouldhaveknownbetter。“
Idemurredastomynotsharinganydangerevenofodium，buthewenton，“Besides，itwillattractlessattentioniftherearenottoomanyofus。
Mytitlewillmakeitallrightwiththelocksmith，andwithanypolicemanthatmaycomealong。YouhadbettergowithJackandtheProfessorandstayintheGreenPark。Somewhereinsightofthehouse，andwhenyouseethedooropenedandthesmithhasgoneaway，doyouallcomeacross。
Weshallbeonthelookoutforyou，andshallletyouin。“
“Theadviceisgood！”saidVanHelsing，sowesaidnomore。
GodalmingandMorrishurriedoffinacab，wefollowinginanother。
AtthecornerofArlingtonStreetourcontingentgotoutandstrolledintotheGreenPark。MyheartbeatasIsawthehouseonwhichsomuchofourhopewascentered，loomingupgrimandsilentinitsdesertedconditionamongstitsmorelivelyandspruce-lookingneighbors。
Wesatdownonabenchwithingoodview，andbegantosmokecigarssoastoattractaslittleattentionaspossible。
Theminutesseemedtopasswithleadenfeetaswewaitedforthecomingoftheothers。
Atlengthwesawafour-wheelerdriveup。Outofit，inleisurelyfashion，gotLordGodalmingandMorris。Anddownfromtheboxdescendedathick-setworkingmanwithhisrush-wovenbasketoftools。
Morrispaidthecabman，whotouchedhishatanddroveaway。
Togetherthetwoascendedthesteps，andLordGodalmingpointedoutwhathewanteddone。Theworkmantookoffhiscoatleisurelyandhungitononeofthespikesoftherail，sayingsomethingtoapolicemanwhojustthensaunteredalong。Thepolicemannoddedacquiescence，andthemankneelingdownplacedhisbagbesidehim。
Aftersearchingthroughit，hetookoutaselectionoftoolswhichheproceededtolaybesidehiminorderlyfashion。
Thenhestoodup，lookedinthekeyhole，blewintoit，andturningtohisemployers，madesomeremark。LordGodalmingsmiled，andthemanliftedagoodsizedbunchofkeys。Selectingoneofthem，hebegantoprobethelock，asiffeelinghiswaywithit。
Afterfumblingaboutforabithetriedasecond，andthenathird。
Allatoncethedooropenedunderaslightpushfromhim，andheandthetwoothersenteredthehall。Wesatstill。
Myowncigarburntfuriously，butVanHelsing\'swentcoldaltogether。
Wewaitedpatientlyaswesawtheworkmancomeoutandbringhisbag。
Thenheheldthedoorpartlyopen，steadyingitwithhisknees，whilsthefittedakeytothelock。ThishefinallyhandedtoLordGodalming，whotookouthispurseandgavehimsomething。
Themantouchedhishat，tookhisbag，putonhiscoatanddeparted。
Notasoultooktheslightestnoticeofthewholetransaction。
Whenthemanhadfairlygone，wethreecrossedthestreetandknockedatthedoor。ItwasimmediatelyopenedbyQuinceyMorris，besidewhomstoodLordGodalminglightingacigar。
“Theplacesmellssovilely，“saidthelatteraswecamein。
Itdidindeedsmellvilely。LiketheoldchapelatCarfax。
AndwithourpreviousexperienceitwasplaintousthattheCounthadbeenusingtheplaceprettyfreely。
Wemovedtoexplorethehouse，allkeepingtogetherincaseofattack，forweknewwehadastrongandwilyenemytodealwith，andasyetwedidnotknowwhethertheCountmightnotbeinthehouse。
Inthediningroom，whichlayatthebackofthehall，wefoundeightboxesofearth。Eightboxesonlyoutoftheninewhichwesought！
Ourworkwasnotover，andwouldneverbeuntilweshouldhavefoundthemissingbox。
Firstweopenedtheshuttersofthewindowwhichlookedoutacrossanarrowstoneflaggedyardattheblankfaceofastable，pointedtolooklikethefrontofaminiaturehouse。Therewerenowindowsinit，sowewerenotafraidofbeingoverlooked。
Wedidnotloseanytimeinexaminingthechests。Withthetoolswhichwehadbroughtwithusweopenedthem，onebyone，andtreatedthemaswehadtreatedthoseothersintheoldchapel。
ItwasevidenttousthattheCountwasnotatpresentinthehouse，andweproceededtosearchforanyofhiseffects。
Afteracursoryglanceattherestoftherooms，frombasementtoattic，wecametotheconclusionthatthediningroomcontainedanyeffectswhichmightbelongtotheCount。Andsoweproceededtominutelyexaminethem。
Theylayinasortoforderlydisorderonthegreatdiningroomtable。
ThereweretitledeedsofthePiccadillyhouseinagreatbundle，deedsofthepurchaseofthehousesatMileEndandBermondsey，notepaper，envelopes，andpensandink。Allwerecoveredupinthinwrappingpapertokeepthemfromthedust。Therewerealsoaclothesbrush，abrushandcomb，andajugandbasin。
Thelattercontainingdirtywaterwhichwasreddenedasifwithblood。
Lastofallwasalittleheapofkeysofallsortsandsizes，probablythosebelongingtotheotherhouses。
Whenwehadexaminedthislastfind，LordGodalmingandQuinceyMorristakingaccuratenotesofthevariousaddressesofthehousesintheEastandtheSouth，tookwiththemthekeysinagreatbunch，andsetouttodestroytheboxesintheseplaces。
Therestofusare，withwhatpatiencewecan，waitingtheirreturn，orthecomingoftheCount。
CHAPTER23
DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY
3October——ThetimeseemedteriblylongwhilstwewerewaitingforthecomingofGodalmingandQuinceyMorris。
TheProfessortriedtokeepourmindsactivebyusingthemallthetime。Icouldseehisbeneficentpurpose，bythesideglanceswhichhethrewfromtimetotimeatHarker。
Thepoorfellowisoverwhelmedinamiserythatisappallingtosee。
Lastnighthewasafrank，happy-lookingman，withstrong，youthfulface，fullofenergy，andwithdarkbrownhair。
Todayheisadrawn，haggardoldman，whosewhitehairmatcheswellwiththehollowburningeyesandgrief-writtenlinesofhisface。
Hisenergyisstillintact。Infact，heislikealivingflame。
Thismayyetbehissalvation，forifallgowell，itwilltidehimoverthedespairingperiod。Hewillthen，inakindofway，wakeagaintotherealitiesoflife。
Poorfellow，Ithoughtmyowntroublewasbadenough，buthis……！
TheProfessorknowsthiswellenough，andisdoinghisbesttokeephismindactive。Whathehasbeensayingwas，underthecircumstances，ofabsorbinginterest。SowellasIcanremember，hereitis：
“Ihavestudied，overandoveragainsincetheycameintomyhands，allthepapersrelatingtothismonster，andthemoreIhavestudied，thegreaterseemsthenecessitytoutterlystamphimout。
Allthroughtherearesignsofhisadvance。Notonlyofhispower，butofhisknowledgeofit。AsIlearnedfromtheresearchesofmyfriendArminiusofBuda-Pesth，hewasinlifeamostwonderfulman。
Soldier，statesman，andalchemist。Whichlatterwasthehighestdevelopmentofthescienceknowledgeofhistime。Hehadamightybrain，alearningbeyondcompare，andaheartthatknewnofearandnoremorse。
HedaredeventoattendtheScholomance，andtherewasnobranchofknowledgeofhistimethathedidnotessay。
“Well，inhimthebrainpowerssurvivedthephysicaldeath。
Thoughitwouldseemthatmemorywasnotallcomplete。
Insomefacultiesofmindhehasbeen，andis，onlyachild。
Butheisgrowing，andsomethingsthatwerechildishatthefirstarenowofman\'sstature。Heisexperimenting，anddoingitwell。
Andifithadnotbeenthatwehavecrossedhispathhewouldbeyet，hemaybeyetifwefail，thefatherorfurthererofaneworderofbeings，whoseroadmustleadthroughDeath，notLife。“
Harkergroanedandsaid，“Andthisisallarrayedagainstmydarling！
Buthowisheexperimenting？Theknowledgemayhelpustodefeathim！”
“Hehasallalong，sincehiscoming，beentryinghispower，slowlybutsurely。Thatbigchild-brainofhisisworking。
Wellforus，itisasyet，achild-brain。Forhadhedared，atthefirst，toattemptcertainthingshewouldlongagohavebeenbeyondourpower。However，hemeanstosucceed，andamanwhohascenturiesbeforehimcanaffordtowaitandtogoslow。
Festinalentemaywellbehismotto。“
“Ifailtounderstand，“saidHarkerwearily。“Oh，dobemoreplaintome！
Perhapsgriefandtroublearedullingmybrain。“
TheProfessorlaidhishandtenderlyonhisshoulderashespoke，“Ah，mychild，Iwillbeplain。Doyounotseehow，oflate，thismonsterhasbeencreepingintoknowledgeexperimentally。
HowhehasbeenmakinguseofthezoophagouspatienttoeffecthisentryintofriendJohn\'shome。ForyourVampire，thoughinallafterwardshecancomewhenandhowhewill，mustatthefirstmakeentryonlywhenaskedtheretobyaninmate。
Butthesearenothismostimportantexperiments。
Dowenotseehowatthefirstallthesesogreatboxesweremovedbyothers。Heknewnotthenbutthatmustbeso。
Butallthetimethatsogreatchild-brainofhiswasgrowing，andhebegantoconsiderwhetherhemightnothimselfmovethebox。Sohebegantohelp。Andthen，whenhefoundthatthisbeallright，hetrytomovethemallalone。
Andsoheprogress，andhescatterthesegravesofhim。
Andnonebutheknowwheretheyarehidden。
“Hemayhaveintendtoburythemdeepintheground。
Sothatonlyheusetheminthenight，oratsuchtimeashecanchangehisform，theydohimequalwell，andnonemayknowthesearehishidingplace！But，mychild，donotdespair，thisknowledgecametohimjusttoolate！
Alreadyallofhislairsbutonebesterilizeasforhim。
Andbeforethesunsetthisshallbeso。Thenhehavenoplacewherehecanmoveandhide。Idelayedthismorningthatsowemightbesure。Istherenotmoreatstakeforusthanforhim？
Thenwhynotbemorecarefulthanhim？Bymyclockitisonehourandalready，ifallbewell，friendArthurandQuinceyareontheirwaytous。Todayisourday，andwemustgosure，ifslow，andlosenochance。See！Therearefiveofuswhenthoseabsentonesreturn。“
Whilstwewerespeakingwewerestartledbyaknockatthehalldoor，thedoublepostman\'sknockofthetelegraphboy。Weallmovedouttothehallwithoneimpulse，andVanHelsing，holdinguphishandtoustokeepsilence，steppedtothedoorandopenedit。
Theboyhandedinadispatch。TheProfessorclosedthedooragain，andafterlookingatthedirection，openeditandreadaloud。
“LookoutforD。Hehasjustnow，12：45，comefromCarfaxhurriedlyandhastenedtowardstheSouth。Heseemstobegoingtheroundandmaywanttoseeyou：Mina。“
Therewasapause，brokenbyJonathanHarker\'svoice，“Now，Godbethanked，weshallsoonmeet！”
VanHelsingturnedtohimquicklyandsaid，“GodwillactinHisownwayandtime。Donotfear，anddonotrejoiceasyet。
Forwhatwewishforatthemomentmaybeourownundoings。“
“Icarefornothingnow，“heansweredhotly，“excepttowipeoutthisbrutefromthefaceofcreation。Iwouldsellmysoultodoit！”
“Oh，hush，hush，mychild！”saidVanHelsing。“Goddoesnotpurchasesoulsinthiswise，andtheDevil，thoughhemaypurchase，doesnotkeepfaith。
ButGodismercifulandjust，andknowsyourpainandyourdevotiontothatdearMadamMina。Thinkyou，howherpainwouldbedoubled，didshebuthearyourwildwords。Donotfearanyofus，wearealldevotedtothiscause，andtodayshallseetheend。Thetimeiscomingforaction。TodaythisVampireislimittothepowersofman，andtillsunsethemaynotchange。
Itwilltakehimtimetoarrivehere，seeitistwentyminutespastone，andthereareyetsometimesbeforehecanhithercome，beheneversoquick。
WhatwemusthopeforisthatmyLordArthurandQuinceyarrivefirst。“
AbouthalfanhourafterwehadreceivedMrs。Harker\'stelegram，therecameaquiet，resoluteknockatthehalldoor。
Itwasjustanordinaryknock，suchasisgivenhourlybythousandsofgentlemen，butitmadetheProfessor\'sheartandminebeatloudly。
Welookedateachother，andtogethermovedoutintothehall。
Weeachheldreadytouseourvariousarmaments，thespiritualinthelefthand，themortalintheright。
VanHelsingpulledbackthelatch，andholdingthedoorhalfopen，stoodback，havingbothhandsreadyforaction。Thegladnessofourheartsmusthaveshownuponourfaceswhenonthestep，closetothedoor，wesawLordGodalmingandQuinceyMorris。
Theycamequicklyinandclosedthedoorbehindthem，theformersaying，astheymovedalongthehall。
“Itisallright。Wefoundbothplaces。Sixboxesineachandwedestroyedthemall。“
“Destroyed？”askedtheProfessor。
“Forhim！”Weweresilentforaminute，andthenQuinceysaid，“There\'snothingtodobuttowaithere。If，however，hedoesn\'tturnupbyfiveo\'clock，wemuststartoff。
Foritwon\'tdotoleaveMrs。Harkeraloneaftersunset。“
“Hewillbeherebeforelongnow，\'saidVanHelsing，whohadbeenconsultinghispocketbook。“Notabene，inMadam\'stelegramhewentsouthfromCarfax。
Thatmeanshewenttocrosstheriver，andhecouldonlydosoatslackoftide，whichshouldbesomethingbeforeoneo\'clock。Thathewentsouthhasameaningforus。Heisasyetonlysuspicious，andhewentfromCarfaxfirsttotheplacewherehewouldsuspectinterferenceleast。
YoumusthavebeenatBermondseyonlyashorttimebeforehim。
ThatheisnotherealreadyshowsthathewenttoMileEndnext。
Thistookhimsometime，forhewouldthenhavetobecarriedovertheriverinsomeway。Believeme，myfriends，weshallnothavelongtowaitnow。
Weshouldhavereadysomeplanofattack，sothatwemaythrowawaynochance。Hush，thereisnotimenow。Haveallyourarms！Beready！”
Heheldupawarninghandashespoke，forweallcouldhearakeysoftlyinsertedinthelockofthehalldoor。
Icouldnotbutadmire，evenatsuchamoment，thewayinwhichadominantspiritasserteditself。Inallourhuntingpartiesandadventuresindifferentpartsoftheworld，QuinceyMorrishadalwaysbeentheonetoarrangetheplanofaction，andArthurandIhadbeenaccustomedtoobeyhimimplicitly。Now，theoldhabitseemedtoberenewedinstinctively。
Withaswiftglancearoundtheroom，heatoncelaidoutourplanofattack，andwithoutspeakingaword，withagesture，placeduseachinposition。
VanHelsing，Harker，andIwerejustbehindthedoor，sothatwhenitwasopenedtheProfessorcouldguarditwhilstwetwosteppedbetweentheincomerandthedoor。GodalmingbehindandQuinceyinfrontstoodjustoutofsightreadytomoveinfrontofthewindow。
Wewaitedinasuspensethatmadethesecondspasswithnightmareslowness。
Theslow，carefulstepscamealongthehall。TheCountwasevidentlypreparedforsomesurprise，atleasthefearedit。
Suddenlywithasingleboundheleapedintotheroom。
Winningawaypastusbeforeanyofuscouldraiseahandtostayhim。
Therewassomethingsopantherlikeinthemovement，somethingsounhuman，thatitseemedtosoberusallfromtheshockofhiscoming。
ThefirsttoactwasHarker，whowithaquickmovement，threwhimselfbeforethedoorleadingintotheroominthefrontofthehouse。
AstheCountsawus，ahorriblesortofsnarlpassedoverhisface，showingtheeyeteethlongandpointed。Buttheevilsmileasquicklypassedintoacoldstareoflion-likedisdain。Hisexpressionagainchangedas，withasingleimpulse，wealladvanceduponhim。
Itwasapitythatwehadnotsomebetterorganizedplanofattack，forevenatthemomentIwonderedwhatweweretodo。Ididnotmyselfknowwhetherourlethalweaponswouldavailusanything。
Harkerevidentlymeanttotrythematter，forhehadreadyhisgreatKukriknifeandmadeafierceandsuddencutathim。Theblowwasapowerfulone。
OnlythediabolicalquicknessoftheCount\'sleapbacksavedhim。
Asecondlessandthetrenchantbladehadshornthroughhiscoat，makingawidegapwhenceabundleofbanknotesandastreamofgoldfellout。
TheexpressionoftheCount\'sfacewassohellish，thatforamomentI
fearedforHarker，thoughIsawhimthrowtheterribleknifealoftagainforanotherstroke。InstinctivelyImovedforwardwithaprotectiveimpulse，holdingtheCrucifixandWaferinmylefthand。Ifeltamightypowerflyalongmyarm，anditwaswithoutsurprisethatIsawthemonstercowerbackbeforeasimilarmovementmadespontaneouslybyeachoneofus。Itwouldbeimpossibletodescribetheexpressionofhateandbaffledmalignity，ofangerandhellishrage，whichcameovertheCount\'sface。Hiswaxenhuebecamegreenish-yellowbythecontrastofhisburningeyes，andtheredscarontheforeheadshowedonthepallidskinlikeapalpitatingwound。
Thenextinstant，withasinuousdivehesweptunderHarker\'sarm，erehisblowcouldfall，andgraspingahandfulofthemoneyfromthefloor，dashedacrosstheroom，threwhimselfatthewindow。Amidthecrashandglitterofthefallingglass，hetumbledintotheflaggedareabelow。
ThroughthesoundoftheshiveringglassIcouldhearthe“ting“ofthegold，assomeofthesovereignsfellontheflagging。
Weranoverandsawhimspringunhurtfromtheground。He，rushingupthesteps，crossedtheflaggedyard，andpushedopenthestabledoor。
Thereheturnedandspoketous。
“Youthinktobaffleme，youwithyourpalefacesallinarow，likesheepinabutcher\'s。Youshallbesorryyet，eachoneofyou！
Youthinkyouhaveleftmewithoutaplacetorest，butIhavemore。
Myrevengeisjustbegun！Ispreaditovercenturies，andtimeisonmyside。Yourgirlsthatyouallloveareminealready。
Andthroughthemyouandothersshallyetbemine，mycreatures，todomybiddingandtobemyjackalswhenIwanttofeed。Bah！”
Withacontemptuoussneer，hepassedquicklythroughthedoor，andweheardtherustyboltcreakashefasteneditbehindhim。
Adoorbeyondopenedandshut。ThefirstofustospeakwastheProfessor。
Realizingthedifficultyoffollowinghimthroughthestable，wemovedtowardthehall。
“Wehavelearntsomething……much！Notwithstandinghisbravewords，hefearsus。Hefearstime，hefearswant！
Forifnot，whyhehurryso？Hisverytonebetrayhim，ormyearsdeceive。Whytakethatmoney？Youfollowquick。
Youarehuntersofthewildbeast，andunderstanditso。
Forme，Imakesurethatnothingheremaybeofusetohim，ifsothathereturns。“
Ashespokeheputthemoneyremaininginhispocket，tookthetitledeedsinthebundleasHarkerhadleftthem，andswepttheremainingthingsintotheopenfireplace，wherehesetfiretothemwithamatch。
GodalmingandMorrishadrushedoutintotheyard，andHarkerhadloweredhimselffromthewindowtofollowtheCount。
Hehad，however，boltedthestabledoor，andbythetimetheyhadforceditopentherewasnosignofhim。
VanHelsingandItriedtomakeinquiryatthebackofthehouse。
Butthemewswasdesertedandnoonehadseenhimdepart。
Itwasnowlateintheafternoon，andsunsetwasnotfaroff。
Wehadtorecognizethatourgamewasup。WithheavyheartsweagreedwiththeProfessorwhenhesaid，“LetusgobacktoMadamMina。
Poor，poordearMadamMina。Allwecandojustnowisdone，andwecanthere，atleast，protecther。Butweneednotdespair。
Thereisbutonemoreearthbox，andwemusttrytofindit。
Whenthatisdoneallmayyetbewell。“